Brewer et al v. Gately et al

Filing
10

ORDER, for good cause shown, Plaintiffs time to serve their complaint is reopened and extended until 31 August 2012. Associating new co-counsel, which attorney Burks said she intended to do, should be explored sooner rather than later. Signed by Judge D. P. Marshall Jr. on 08/08/2012. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
DENNIS BREWER; MICHAEL JILES;
JEFFERY CARTER; and CHRIS JACKSON,
all suing individually and as representatives of
others similarly situated in employment with
City of West Memphis, Arkansas
v.
PLAINTIFFS
No. 3:12-cv-28-DPM
WAYNE GATELY, individually and in his official
capacity as Chief of West Memphis Fire Department;
WILLIAM JOHNSON, individually and in his official
capacity as Mayor of West Memphis, Arkansas; and
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS
DEFENDANTS
ORDER
Pursuant to the Court’s Order, Document No. 7, Addie Burks appeared
and responded to the Court’s concerns on 31 July 2012. She also provided the
Court with a response, and related affidavit from co-counsel, which she
planned to file, Document No. 9.
For good cause shown, Plaintiffs’ time to serve their complaint is
reopened and extended until 31 August 2012. FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m). Lead
counsel did not make timely service. Burks depended on him to do so; then
he was disbarred; then she had trouble getting the file from him; and she has
since been dealing with health problems.
Burks has also shown cause for the Court not making a referral to any
disciplinary committee at this time. Counsel acknowledged that there had
been gaps in her performance, based mostly on relying on co-counsel and on
health-related inability to take care of business. Counsel acknowledged her
professional obligations in this case and pledged to fulfil them.
Burks must—as she said she would—serve the Defendants by 31 August
2012. Burks should also provide a copy of this Order to her clients. Burks has
registered for CM/ECF as the Court requested. She now appears to be
receiving electronic notifications. Associating new co-counsel, which Burks
said she intended to do, should be explored sooner rather than later.
So Ordered.
__________________________
D.P. Marshall Jr.
United States District Judge
8 August 2012
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